Enhanced activated carbon lithium-ion capacitor electrochemical stability through electrolyte dielectric optimisation

Interactions between electrolyte constituents and active materials strongly influence the capacity, energy density, and cycling stability of energy storage devices. In this study, the role of electrolyte dielectric on the improvement of electrochemical stability is demonstrated using activated carbon (AC) lithium-ion capacitors and symmetric AC/AC cells. 1 M LiPF6 salt is used as the electrolyte and dissolved in different binary solvent mixtures of varying dielectric properties. Floating voltage stability tests show increased floating voltage durations prior to 80% capacity retention as the electrolyte dielectric is increased in half cells and symmetric cells. The increased stability is attributed to improved PF6- anion resistance to oxidation by the enhanced surrounding dielectric and solvation sheath encompassing it at the double layer region of the AC. Post-mortem SEM, nitrogen physisorption and XPS analysis on the extracted electrodes reveal increased deposits of degradation products in the electrolyte with a lower dielectric that reduces the surface area and pores of the AC and causes the faster capacity fade.

Automated summary

Interactions between electrolyte constituents and active materials strongly affect the performance of energy storage devices. This study demonstrates the influence of electrolyte dielectric on electrochemical stability using AC lithium-ion capacitors and symmetric AC/AC cells. Increasing the dielectric constant of the electrolyte improves stability and reduces degradation of the active material, while a lower dielectric constant leads to faster capacity fade due to increased deposits of degradation products.